Scheffler Headlines 3M Open as FedEx Cup Playoff Race Intensifies

Posted : 23 July 2026

The 2026 3M Open gets underway on Thursday at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, with the PGA Tour entering the final stretch of the regular season before the FedEx Cup Playoffs begin next month.

The tournament is the third-to-last event before the postseason, making it a critical week for players hoping to improve their standings and secure a place in the playoffs. The event also features an $8.8 million prize purse and attracts a competitive field led by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

Scheffler arrives as the tournament favourite following a fourth-place finish at The Open Championship. The American is searching for his second PGA Tour victory of the season and will tee off alongside Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and South Korea's Sungjae Im in one of the marquee groups during the opening round.

Defending champion Kurt Kitayama also returns to TPC Twin Cities looking to successfully defend the title he won last year. Kitayama begins his campaign in a featured group with Billy Horschel and rising talent Jackson Koivun.

Other notable pairings include Jake Knapp, Corey Conners and Max Homa, while Tony Finau, Gary Woodland and Maverick McNealy are also among the contenders hoping to make an early impression.

Despite Scheffler entering as the clear favourite, several analysts believe the tournament could produce another surprise winner. Johnny Keefer has attracted attention after recording three top-10 finishes this season, including an impressive third-place result at the Genesis Scottish Open. His strong driving distance and excellent greens-in-regulation statistics make him one of the players to watch this week.

Lee Hodges is another golfer expected to challenge after winning the 3M Open in 2023. His recent first-round scoring has been impressive, while Emiliano Grillo and Sungjae Im have also been tipped to make fast starts based on their previous performances at TPC Twin Cities.

Meanwhile, betting models have questioned the chances of Maverick McNealy despite his position among the pre-tournament favourites. Recent struggles with approach play and driving accuracy have raised concerns about his prospects on a course that rewards precise ball striking.

Round One coverage is available on Golf Channel, with live television coverage beginning later on Thursday. Players will continue battling over four rounds as they seek valuable FedEx Cup points before the playoffs begin on August 13.

With only a handful of regular-season tournaments remaining, every stroke could prove decisive as the race for playoff qualification reaches its final stages.

Scheffler Headlines 3M Open as FedEx Cup Playoff Race Intensifies

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